An ankle injury can make life extremely difficult. Even getting out of bed in the morning can become a challenge – let alone going about your busy day. Anyone can experience an ankle injury, children and adults alike.
The ankle is a highly complex structure, and there is a very real risk of long-term consequences (affecting mobility) from poor treatment of ankle injuries. For chronic ankle pain and other problems, visit a foot and ankle specialist to get the best possible treatment. A foot and ankle specialist is uniquely qualified to treat ankle problems using a variety of highly advanced nonsurgical and surgical techniques.
What is an Ankle Specialist?
Foot and ankle specialists or podiatrists completed their residency in podiatric medicine and become a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM). Podiatrists are the most highly trained professionals capable of treating the full range of foot and ankle problems.
Not only can they treat injuries once they occur, podiatrists can also assess your risk factors and abnormalities that can lead to injuries in the future. For instance, if your ankle is prone to injury, it could be due to a mechanical issue, such as weakness in the ligaments of the ankle. Weakness leads to ankle instability, which leads to frequent injuries.
An ankle specialist will be able to determine the root cause of your ankle problem, help you understand the factors that contribute to the problem, and, of course, treat you and monitor your recovery.
Podiatrists can treat all conditions that affect the foot and ankle – from plantar fasciitis, bunions, and hammertoe to fractures, arthritis, and peripheral neuropathy. Podiatrists can also treat diabetic foot complications, such as ulcers and infection. Your unique foot structure, such as flat feet or high arches, could be making you vulnerable to foot and ankle problems. Podiatrists can educate you on what to do, such as to invest in proper footwear, as well as provide custom-orthotics as a preventive measure.
How Ankle Specialists Treat Injuries
Podiatrists stay on top of the latest developments in podiatry in order to offer the latest and greatest treatments to patients. When you suffer an ankle injury, a podiatrist will start out with a physical examination of your ankle, diagnostic testing to see inside the ankle, and an assessment of your symptoms. Based on the information collected, the podiatrist will discuss treatment options with you.
Podiatrists always recommend non-surgical treatments first. Many advanced treatments can deliver excellent results and eliminate the need for surgery. This is why it’s important to find a podiatrist with a wealth of experience and a passion for learning new techniques and treatments in the field.
If non-surgical treatments don’t work, your podiatrist may recommend surgery. In some cases, patients must have surgery to fix problems that cannot be corrected otherwise. In such cases, your podiatrist will support you before, during, and after the procedure to ensure you get the best care possible and recover effectively.
Ankle Specialist in San Antonio, Boerne, Hondo, Floresville, Kenedy, Uvalde, Live Oak, TX
Our podiatrists at The Podiatry Group of South Texas are not just experts in the field, they also have advanced training in sports medicine, which allows them to treat athletes. We can provide superior treatment for your ankle problem. To schedule your visit, please call our podiatry clinic nearest you or use our online request form.
